Changing nature of work and gig economy: A sociological study

To meet human needs a person attempts to do some productive processes which is simply called work. This is what primary function of work had been from the very ancient periods of human existence to this very advanced and modern 21^st century. Work can be classified as according to its nature i.e, factors like level of skill requirement, type of labor which could be mental or manual, status or prestige associated with that work, impact it makes and so on. Other classifications can be done on basis of sector in which work is being accomplished like blue collar, white caller, pink collar, professional, service work etc. which are analyzed in structures of power and class. Sociology has a sub discipline termed as sociology of work which attempts to study work relations. In primitive society nature and tools of work was simple but as technology progressed, nature of work being done in society too became complex, technology has major significance in the development of work relations and type of economy that evolves. This paper attempts a descriptive study of a type of work which is termed as ‘gig work’ which gave rise to an innovative ‘gig economy’. Gig work is defined as ‘a work performed by an independent contractor or an informal agent on demand basis which is temporary or freelance in nature. ’ This paper attempts to explore two facets of gig work. One is what is meant by gig work, how it emerged and its potential, scope and consequence of such development. And the other is how does workers in a gig economy perceives their work and what are their concerns.